At Nurtur Tea, we’re always drawn to brands that blend intention with impact, especially when they honour nature, ritual, and the wisdom of the body. So when Nina, the Founder of Nurtur Tea (bugs love her!) discovered Outdoorish, she instantly fell in love with their philosophy: that caring for your skin doesn’t have to mean harsh chemicals or giving up your time outside.

Enjoy our chat with Tiffany, the inspiring founder behind Outdoorish, the brand redefining outdoor skincare with botanical-rich, DEET-free formulations designed for everyday nature-lovers, not just mountain hikers, but the morning matcha drinkers, backyard loungers, and playground chasers among us.

From her Blue Mountains rituals to the surprising ingredient more effective than DEET, she shares her story, her love of low-tox living, and how Outdoorish is helping women, especially mothers, feel confident in their skin, even with mozzies around!

What inspired the name Outdoorish, and how does it reflect your approach to natural living and skincare?

The name Outdoorish was born from this idea that you don’t need to be hiking through remote mountain ranges to care about spending time outside. Most of us are “outdoorish” - we go for weekend walks, sip coffee on a sunny deck, chase kids around the park, or travel somewhere warm for a quick escape. These everyday outdoor moments are where life is being lived, yet traditional skincare and body care really  hasn’t really been made with that in mind.

I kept wondering -  we protect our skin from sun damage and fine lines… but what about the bites, the itching, the skin irritation that comes with just being outside? As someone who is a self professed mosquito magnet, I react very badly to bites - welts, itching, swelling. If there is something buzzing outside that will bite, it will make its way to me in 2 seconds flat. I wanted something that worked with my lifestyle - not against it. And the more I talked to people, the more I realised I wasn’t alone.

Outdoorish is our invitation to embrace time outside, whatever that looks like for you with skincare that protects, nourishes, and truly works for the way we live. Our products layer seamlessly into your existing skin and body care routine and come in balm, lotion or body oil, so you can choose your favourite type of product without compromising on feeling good and enjoying the outdoors. 

Many of our readers are pregnant or postpartum mums who are careful about what they put on their skin. How do your DEET-free and citronella-free formulations support sensitive skin and family-friendly lifestyles?

We have become a fast favourite with families. One of the key reasons we chose to go natural was to help reduce the overall toxic load we’re exposed to every day. For us, low-tox living isn’t a trend - it’s a way of life. Where we can replace chemicals with natural alternatives that perform, we do. Small, mindful swaps can make a big difference to our health over time, and we wanted to create something that’s both effective and aligned with that philosophy. 

People often ask why we don’t use citronella, especially since it’s a natural ingredient. The truth is, it can be a wonderful natural alternative. However, when used in high concentrations, it can also be irritating for people with sensitive skin (mine included). So we wanted to create an alternative, while still supporting skin outdoors in a way that feels nourishing, a little luxurious and best of all - gives you peace of mind from getting eaten alive outdoors.

Of course, everyone’s skin and circumstances are different - so if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, we always recommend checking in with your doctor before using any new products.

You use ingredients like catnip, lemon myrtle, and sandalwood, can you tell us about your favourite botanical in the range and why it made the cut?

It’s so hard to choose a favourite - nature offers such a beautiful blend of inspiration and wisdom. Our goal has always been to work with the natural properties of plants, creating a formula that not only protects skin outdoors but also elevates the entire sensory experience.

I’ll share a fun fact - one of our hero ingredients is catnip (and no, not just for cats!) contains nepetalactone, a naturally occurring compound with a fresh, minty aroma that’s been shown to be up to 10x more effective than DEET, which is the active used in many conventional repellents. We paired it with powerhouse botanicals like lemon myrtle and sandalwood - traditionally used for outdoor care to create a blend that works, smells beautiful, and is gentle on sensitive skin. It’s a well-balanced formula designed for tropical escapes, treks through the mountains, or your local park hangout - wherever your version of ‘outdoorish’ takes you.

What’s your ideal slow morning or evening ritual outdoors and which Outdoorish product do you always take with you?

I’m definitely a slow morning kind of person. My day usually starts with a soy matcha - I add a dash of cinnamon and a little vanilla extract and then I step out onto the deck to water the garden and soak up some morning light. I live in the Blue Mountains, so I’m lucky to be surrounded by nature - it’s the best kind of cortisol check before the day begins. From there, I’ll usually head out for some movement, like a bush walk or a Pilates class. That intentional time outdoors helps me resist the urge to immediately grab my phone and dive into emails.

One ritual I never skip is applying our Golden Hour No-Bite Body Oil. I use it in the mornings and evenings - especially when I know I’ll be spending time outside. I’ve always been a body oil kind of girl - I love how hydrating it is and the natural glow it gives my skin. But what I love most is that I don’t have to coat myself in sticky, chemical-heavy spray just to enjoy my own backyard.

That’s the heart of Outdoorish - skin-first formulas that feel beautiful to use, while also protecting you from nature’s less glamorous side.

What advice would you give to someone who loves being in nature but struggles with skin sensitivity or mozzie anxiety (like me!)?

Oh, I can so relate - this was me to a tee. I’m incredibly prone to bites and have sensitive skin, so for a long time, being outside came with a bit of dread. But nature has so many calming, healing benefits - from lowering anxiety to helping regulate your circadian rhythm with morning light - and it’s just too good to miss out on.

My biggest advice? Don’t let the fear hold you back. There’s so much to explore - not just in the world around you, but within yourself, too. Nature has a way of grounding and centering us in ways nothing else does.

Find the version of the outdoors that feels good to you. For some, it’s a picnic in the park. For others, a weekend hike or a dip in the ocean. And you don’t have to compromise on comfort or skin peace to enjoy it. That’s why we created Outdoorish - to help keep your skin protected, nourished outdoors while you’re doing the things you love.